Considering the size of their error in qualifying, Ferrari managed to rescue a respectable result at the Brazilian Grand Prix, after Carlos Sainz claimed third with Charles Leclerc in fourth.
Given what happened at Interlagos, the Italians will likely take the result happily, whereas ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has slammed the side for making “mistakes again and again”.
The Scuderia did make another mistake right at the start of the weekend, after fitting Leclerc with Intermediate tyres in Q3 due to incoming rain; however, the track itself was still dry.
As a result, Leclerc qualified for the sprint in 10th, with the 24-year-old slamming the team’s strategic blunder as “beautiful”, sarcastically.
READ: Fernando Alonso says he won’t speak to Esteban Ocon as he fires Alpine jibe
Leclerc’s weekend was almost summed up on Sunday after finding himself in the wall on the exit of Turn Six, after being hit by Lando Norris.
Incredibly, he managed to continue in the race and fought through the pack to claim fourth, behind his team-mate.
Despite this, Schumacher still insisted that the Maranello-based team “needs a change”, with a real chance of claiming a title this season having slipped through their fingers following their own errors.
“This year they manage to make mistakes again and again in situations in which they could perform brilliantly,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.
“I’m not convinced by the excuse – all the others were on slicks. Ferrari needs a change.
“If everything remains as it is, I have doubts about them. Ferrari had a fast car this year, but they always managed to squeeze the bare minimum out of it.
“I see them needing a change in leadership, otherwise it remain difficult for them. They need to change something.”
Ferrari again finished behind both Mercedes’ for the second consecutive race, with the Germans having claimed a superb one-two, their first since the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
It means that the Brackley-based team are just 19 points behind Ferrari in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship, with just Abu Dhabi remaining.
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto isn’t surprised by the Germans newfound pace, given that they brought a big aero upgrade fairly recently at the United States Grand Prix.
The Italians, on the other hand, have supposedly “been focused” on 2023, with next season set to be a three-way fight for the title.
“Mercedes is very strong,” Binotto told Sky Italia.
“But it doesn’t surprise because we’ve already been focused on developing the 2023 car for some time while they’ve brought updates to both the US and Mexico.
“I think next year it won’t be a two-way battle for the world championship,” Binotto admitted.
READ: Audi outline roadmap for French wonderkid for F1 team
Binotto has arguably gone under fire more than anyone at Ferrari, with the team principal having absorbed the brunt of the criticism.
He’s remained unfazed by it all, though, and continues to insist that changes aren’t needed.
“A lot has been said. Everyone is always ready to criticise,” added Binotto.